Prickles and Paws Hedgehog Hospital, in Newquay, Cornwall, has a brand new, purpose built, ‘Hogspital’ and I was honoured to be there, as their patron, on Saturday 28th March for the opening ceremony.
Loads of photos and a chance to comment over on the Substack version of this update.
I first met Katy, who is the young brains behind this enterprise, when she came and joined me doing a talk in Calstock a couple of years ago. She is very different to most people who set up hedgehog rescues.
It began with two hoglets in 2010, when she was 15 - Katy rehabilitated them - released them back into the wild, and, with the help of her amazing mother, Diane, went on to register Prickles and Paws as a charity in 2017.
Along the way she completed wildlife rehabilitation courses, turned to other rescues and veterinary professionals from across Cornwall to help guide and support her vision. She went on to complete a degree in Applied Zoology and Masters; has published three peer-reviewed scientific papers, so far, and helped drive the massive fundraising effort that took the hospital from the three sheds in her parent’s garden to this impressive new home.
I had visited that garden last May and was amazed at how her parents had managed to maintain sanity with their conservatory given over to the staff room/office, and bundles of newspapers and pallets of pet food stashed around the place.
Such a vibrant team - Katy’s dad, Martin, has the capacity to turn his hand to so many of the practical things - Emma, Education and Training Coordinator who is deceptively playful - there is a serious side behind the fun and games. Oh, and we cannot forget John who uses his finance and management experience to make the charity thrive, as the CEO.
Of course, any place like this also has volunteers - over 170 ‘ambulance’ drivers who rescue sick and injured hogs - and around 20 people who also work in the hospital - cleaning out hutches, keeping hogs fed and healthy.
Back in May I had been to the site with Katy - and had recorded a short video. How things have changed! And at the grand opening so many people came - many who had been involved with the fundraising - either by being persuasive or generous or both. It was great to meet someone from the MoD who has been brilliantly persuasive in getting his base commander to agree to let hedgehogs be released on their land!
After everyone got a tour, I got to deliver a few words of thanks - and also to remind everyone who was there of the power we have when we work towards a common goal - recognising that most people (whatever the Daily Fail may say) are kind and generous despite how different they may seem.
And with that, the ribbon was cut (as was the cake - thank you Hannah!) and we could disperse, knowing that a very good thing had come into the world.
I ended up camping at Rewilding Coombeshead and spending the night drinking more wine that was good for me with Derek Gow, but that is another story!!
For those who donated, thank you - my wife, Zoe, has raised £1280 at last count, and completed her 100 mile challenge for Mind. It is a fitting memorial for our young friend Romain. Please don’t be shy if you would like to help her get to her new target of £1500 - x10 her initial target!
photo of Katy with her parents, Diane and Martin